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Note: Story originally appeared in Boston Spirit magazine's April/May 2014 issue.

Update: Joslyn Fox is still in the running for the big prize, having survived through 'Episode 4: Shade: The Rusical' this week. She'll be strutting her stuff again when 'Episode 5: Snatch Game' airs on March 24.

by Scott Kearnan

Let the games begin.

RuPaul’s Drag Race just revved up its sixth season. And among the competing queens introduced on the Monday, February 24 premiere was a local lovely: Joslyn Fox, a Worcester, Massachusetts-based performer whose sassy, ultra-femme style recalls the glittery glory days of MTV-ready pop princesses. But you might know him by his other stage name, DJ Patrick Allen, a familiar face (makeup off, this time) spinning at New England’s gay nightspots and Pride events. We’ll be rooting for this hometown honey.

Of course, only time will tell if Fox has what it takes to seize the crown, and this queen can’t drop any spoilers. But she did spill the t to Spirit about her early inspirations, current competition, and biggest fan. Spoiler: it’s one awesome, doting dad.

[Spirit] How did you discover drag?

[Joslyn Fox] I used to go to Boston every Monday night for drag shows at Axis nightclub. I remember when the shows would start, standing down at the base of the stage, just living for these queens. They were Britney and Madonna in the flesh to me. It was so exciting. Eventually someone said, “Why don’t you give it a shot?” I realized it was the best opportunity to encompass everything I was interested in.

[Spirit] What stars influenced your style?

[JF] I loved Janet Jackson growing up. People tell me I move like her on stage, and that’s from watching her videos. When I was young Britney was more current and I’d record her videos to learn the choreography. I think that’s really how I developed my style. It’s very fishy and girly—not so edgy or over-the-top.

[Spirit] How did you choose your drag name?

[JF] Joslyn is my last name, but that’s actually not how I chose it. Before my first show I was going to be Billy Wicked. This gaggle of queens told me it was awful. They started throwing out other names. Someone said, “You could be a Joslyn.” They had no idea that was my last name. I thought it was fate. Separately, a friend saw me walking down the street. Later she called and said, “I just saw you and thought: you are such a fox!”

[Spirit] Drag queens often have two coming-outs. How did yours go?

[JF] I came out as gay at 14. The response was basically, “What do you want for dinner?” My parents didn’t think twice about it. It was very different for my mother when I came out as a drag queen. She didn’t know how to take it, and thought there would be another coming out where I told her I wanted to be a woman. It was actually easier for my dad. They came to my show, and it started to change her mind. She started getting used to it. But his jaw was on the floor. The next morning he said, “You know, you make one hot chick.”

[Spirit] How do you think you’ll come across on the show?

[JF] I play dumb and come off as stupid, but my secret power is that I’m smarter than I seem. Going in, I was afraid I’d be hated and have no friends! It wasn’t like they were all going after me, but I think I’ll be seen as a sweetheart who stood up for myself.

[Spirit] What was your biggest challenge?

[JF] Just to push myself and prove to Ru and the other girls that I deserve to be there. There were moments alone when I’d really start to get discouraged and down on myself. There were struggles at night when I’d get back to the hotel room, before I fell asleep. But those moments brought out the best in me.

[Spirit] If you had to “lip sync for your life,” what song would you choose to slay the competition?

[JF] Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love.” That’s probably the number one song I perform to.

[Spirit] And what’s one gay icon whose catalogue would cause you a problem?

[JF] Barbra Streisand. I love her, but I know her movies much more than her music.

[Spirit] Who is your favorite past Drag Race winner?

[JF] Jinkx Monsoon. She was the ultimate underdog. I re-watched Season 5 to gear myself up, and it was amazing—knowing now that she won—to see how when she started no one thought she should be there. But that lit her fire.

[Spirit] “Charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent,” are the four qualities RuPaul seeks in the next drag superstar. Which one do you have all over the other girls?

[JF] Charisma. Some of those girls are all business. I can still show the charm without letting it be a distraction from the task at hand. [x]

About the author:Boston Spirit Magazines daily blog brings you all of the information you need on New Englands LGBT community. In addition to highlighting local and national LGBT news, we will also highlight local leaders from the worlds of business, politics, fashion and entertainment and keep you up-to-date on all the latest events and parties, hot spots for travel, shopping, dining, and more!